IFA Countryside

• Range of coaching and juvenile events aimed at increasing participation in angling, which well over 320,000 Irish adults already enjoy
• Programmes to promote mental health, initiatives to encourage more women to try angling and International Angling Competitions among successful applicants

Inland Fisheries Ireland, the state agency with responsibility for the protection and conservation of freshwater fish and habitats and promotion of angling, has announced funding for 38 projects under its annual Sponsorship Programme. The programme supports novice or ‘beginner’ anglers and the development of sustainable angling tourism in Ireland, which could grow in popularity, particularly in rural and peripheral areas.

According to a recent survey by Ipsos MRBI, over 327,000 adults in Ireland consider themselves an angler. Now, more than ever, people are discovering the positive effects angling has on mental health and wellbeing, the state agency has said. In another survey, undertaken in 2021 by Amárach Research, some 18% of adults that had never been fishing before said that they are “likely” to try angling in the future.

Inland Fisheries Ireland’s Sponsorship Programme received proposals from community groups, clubs, associations and other bodies earlier in the year and a total of €17,450 has now been allocated to 38 projects, including:

• Fishing programme to promote mental health (North Louth)

The HSE adult mental health services in Dundalk together with the Ladywell Angling Club are developing a fishing programme to promote mental health and wellbeing for those in the North Louth area.

• Introduction to fly-fishing for women (Limerick)

The Irish Ladies Fly-Fishing Association and the Trout Angling Federation of Ireland are hosting a one-day introduction to fly-fishing, aimed specifically at women. The course will be held on Bleach Lough in Limerick, as an introductory day for novice women anglers.

• All Ireland Junior U16 & U21 Boat Competition (Donegal)

The Irish Federation of Sea Angling hosted a boat angling competition for the All-Ireland Junior and Under 21s on Lough Swilly in Donegal earlier this month.

• ‘Let’s Start Fishing’ event (Galway)

Connacht Predator Anglers and the National Coarse Fishing Federation of Ireland are hosting a novice day event on Lough Corrib in Galway, to introduce women and young people to the basics of angling.

Making the announcement today, Suzanne Campion, Head of Business Development at Inland Fisheries Ireland, said: “More than 320,000 adults in Ireland already enjoy angling and 18% of those who haven’t tried it before are likely to try it in the future. This demonstrates that there’s significant potential for sustainable angling in this country, which could bring many health and economic benefits.”

She added: “Through Inland Fisheries Ireland’s Sponsorship Programme, we want to encourage people to try angling sustainably and we also want to encourage more beginners, especially girls and women into the sport. The projects that are being supported this year showcase a wide appeal for angling events, coaching and competitions. These 38 projects and initiatives will create a greater awareness of Ireland’s inland fisheries and sea angling resources and the importance of conserving and protecting these precious resources.”

The full list of events and initiatives receiving support under the 2021 Sponsorship Programme can be seen at www.fisheriesireland.ie

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Full listing of awarded projects is available here: https://www.fisheriesireland.ie/Angling-Information/sponsorship-programme.html#2021-awardees

Fish under “distress” during current heatwave

Appeal to report sightings of ‘fish under distress’, caused by soaring temperatures and low water levels across the country

Anglers in Ireland asked to voluntarily stop using ‘keep nets’ during current heatwave

With high temperature warnings in place throughout the country, Inland Fisheries Ireland is appealing to anglers, the farming community and the general public to report any sightings of fish under distress, which may be caused by the extreme heat combined with low water levels.

Inland Fisheries Ireland, which is the state agency responsible for the protection and conservation of freshwater fish and habitats, is concerned that many rivers may be in drought conditions because of the current heatwave.

As a result, anglers are being asked to voluntarily stop using ‘keep nets’ while high temperature warnings from Met Éireann are in place, as these nets may cause unintentional distress to fish. In addition, anglers that practice ‘catch and release’ fishing are asked not to fish during the heatwave where possible, as this may put undue pressure on fish stocks.

Dr Gregory Forde, Head of Operations at Inland Fisheries Ireland explains: “It’s a sad reality that low water levels and high water temperatures can lead to fish kills, especially as there is less oxygen in the water to allow fish to breathe.  Once the water temperature exceeds 20 degrees centigrade, salmon and trout suffer and are distressed. At present, temperatures are dangerously high and fish kills may be unavoidable. In Lough Sheelin in County Cavan for example, the water temperature recorded by Inland Fisheries Ireland was over 26 degrees centigrade this week. In some instances, moving fish in and out of the water may also prove too stressful.  That’s why we’re asking anglers practicing catch and release fishing to consider taking a break from fishing while the high temperature warnings are in place. We’re also asking anglers to voluntarily stop using ‘keep nets’, until conditions become more favourable.”

Forde added: “Inland Fisheries Ireland staff are continuously monitoring water bodies, such as rivers and lakes, for any signs of fish under distress in shallow water or drying out rivers and streams. We’re encouraging the public to report any sightings of fish under distress to our 24 hour confidential hotline on 1890 34 74 24 so we can respond as quickly as possible to help rescue or relocate these fish.”

Inland Fisheries Ireland is supporting Irish Water’s appeal to reduce water usage as much as possible. As water source levels are dropping, the state agency is reminding landowners that abstraction of water from rivers and lakes should be carried out in a sustainable manner to ensure sufficient levels are available for other water users and to protect the aquatic habitat.

It is also timely to remind all those using pesticides that these should be used only as a last resort, always in accordance with product instructions and always respecting statutory ‘no use’ zones, being mindful at all times of proximity to water bodies such as ditches, streams, ponds, rivers, lakes and springs. Even a very small amount of pesticide can be highly toxic to the aquatic environment, Inland Fisheries Ireland has said.

To report sightings of fish under distress or fish kills, members of the public are encouraged to call Inland Fisheries Ireland’s confidential hotline number on 1890 34 74 24, which is open 24 hours a day.

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Spear guns, traps and 13km of illegal nets among 1,200 items seized last year

Public thanked for helping to protect fisheries by reporting incidents of illegal fishing as recent conviction costs Kerry man over €1600 in fines and court fees

Inland Fisheries Ireland, the state agency responsible for the protection and conservation of freshwater fish and habitats, has revealed that over 13 kilometres of illegal nets were seized by its protection officers and inspectors around the country last year.

250 illegal fishing nets, measuring 13,158 metres in total, were among the 1,287 items seized by the agency on its patrols and inspections in 2020. Other items seized by Inland Fisheries Ireland included spear guns, hand lines, traps, illegally caught fish and stroke hauls which are large-weighted hooks used to impale a fish.

Unless licenced, it is illegal to use a net for catching fish in freshwater due to the ecological damage they cause to fish populations and habitats, such as Wild Atlantic Salmon, Sea Trout and Sea Bass. Due to the severity of the offence and the environmental impact caused by illegal fishing, Inland Fisheries Ireland has a policy of bringing cases involving illegal nets directly to court. Those convicted can face fines and even prison sentences.

Dr Greg Forde, Head of Operations at Inland Fisheries Ireland explains: “In the course of our inspections and patrols last year, Inland Fisheries Ireland seized over 1,200 items, including 13 kilometres of illegal fishing nets from poachers. To put that figure into perspective, that’s enough illegal netting to line the runway at Dublin Airport five times over.”

He added: “Illegal fishing has a detrimental effect on our fish population, doing untold damage to this precious resource and in particular to Wild Atlantic Salmon stocks at this time of year. Thanks to the public’s help in reporting incidences of illegal fishing, we’re able to better protect and conserve fisheries for future generations and prevent loss of fish to poaching.”

A recent court case involving the use of an illegal net for fishing came before Judge David Waters at Listowel District Court on July 1^st this year. Tom Allen, with an address of Lixnaw, Co. Kerry, was convicted under Section 96 of the Fisheries Acts 1959 – 2017 on a charge of possession of a net along the River Brick in 2020. Mr. Allen was fined €700 and was also ordered to pay €947 in court costs.

Assistant Inspector at Inland Fisheries Ireland, Darren Halpin, gave evidence in court, outlining how he was responding to a report from a member of the public, which led to the seizure of the illegal net.

In another court case involving the seizure of an illegal net, Donal Healy of Castletownbere in County Cork was convicted in October 2020 on two counts of illegal fishing and on one count of obstructing Inland Fisheries Ireland officers. Mr. Healy was fined €2,000 for illegal fishing, including possession of an illegal salmon drift net, a further €2,000 for obstructing Fisheries Officers and ordered to pay €500 in costs.

To report suspicions of illegal fishing, or sightings of illegal nets, members of the public are encouraged to call Inland Fisheries Ireland’s confidential hotline number on 1890 34 74 24, which is open 24 hours a day.

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